Vehicle-axle.



PATENTED ooTf 1 s. c. WAGNER. VEHICLE AXLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8. 1907.

\ KEI) /30 vwanfcoz S. "Wagner SAMUEL C. WAGNER, OF ABILENE,` TEXAS.

vaHroLn-AXLE.

Specification of Lettersl Patent.

Patented Oet. 1, 1907.

Application led March 8,1907. SerialNo. 361,285.

To all whom it may concern.:

VBe it known that I, SAMUELC. WAGNER, a citizen l ofthe United States,residing at Abilene; in the county of Taylor and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in VehileAxles; and

' I do declare the following t0 be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the Same.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle axles.

The object of the invention is to provide a front steeringl axle formotor vehicles so constructed as to permit the .front wheel to bepositively driven irre spective of the angle to which the same may beturned A further object is to provide a lexible axle of this kind whichWill be simple, strong and durable in construction, efiicient andreliable' in operation, andl well adapted to the purpose for which it isdesigned.

With these objects in view, the invention consists of certain novelfeatures of construction, combination and arrangement o f parts, as willbe more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. l

In the accompanying drawings,` Figure l is a plan view of a portion of amotor vehicle showing the arrangement of the front axle; Fig. 2 is aside elevation of one end of the axle and the wheel thereon; Fig. 3 is aplan View of the same; and Fig. is a vertical longitudinal sectionalview of the parts shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, l denotes the main portionof the axle which is mounted in bearing sleeves, 2, secured to theunderside of the vehicle body in any suitable manner,

On the axle, 1, midway between its ends, is mounted a sprocket gear, 3,which is adapted to be connected by a sprocket chain, 4, to a drivinggear, 5, `on the l motor shaft, G, of the vehicle. Said motor shaftbeing g also provided with a sprocket'wheel, 7, which is connected by asprocket chain, 8, to a sprocket gear on the rear axle (not shown), thusproviding for the positive driving of both the front and rear axles.

On the outer ends of the axle 1 are formed enlarged heads, 9, which bearin the outer end of each sleeve, 2, as shown. 4

To the outer end o1 each head 9 of the axle is connected the innermember, 10, of a universal joint con.. nection between the axle, 1, andthe wheei spindie, 12. The outer end of the member l0 is biiurcated andpivotally connected to the opposite sides oi the central or ball member13, of the universal joint. jPiv otally connected to the ball, 13,diametrically oppo site to the pivotai connection of the member l2 isthe l outer member, 14, of the universal joint, said member beingconnected at its outer end to the spindle, 12, of the axle. The membersl0 and 14 of the universal v f Joint connection are each preferablyiormcd 1n two separable sections or halves,` which are securedtogetherby pins, l5, which are passed through said sections and through theinner ends olvthe axle and the spindie, said pins thereby also securingsaid members of the joint into engagement with the axle and spindle.

`rlhe outer ends ol the members, 1 and 14, are proierably reduced andtapered to lit, within tapered apertures or recesses formed in thc endsof the axle and the spindle, as shown.v` 'lhc parts of the members 10and 14 arer further secured against. movement by means of rectangular'keys, 1G, which'are inserted in aliucd grooves or recesses formed in themeeting sides oi the parts.

The outer ends oi the sleeves, 2, are threaded and on said thread edends is adapted to be screwed the inner section 17 of a two-part casing,18, the outer section 19 of which is hngedly comlected tothe said innersection to permit the former to turn to various angles in a horizontalplane. The sections i7 and `19 of the casing;r 18 cut away or recessedon opposite sides of their inner ends as shown. The engaging edges ofthe sectiony are notched or recessed and said notched portions areoverlapped and provided with alined bolt holes in which are adapted tobe inserted pivot bolts, 20, whereby said sections are hingedlyconnected together to permit, the outer section to swing on the innersection as hereinbefore described.

In the threaded end di" the inner section 17 of the casing and theAouter end o the slecveis formed alined passages in which are adapted tobe inserted locking pins, 2l, whereby said inner section is preventedfrom becoming unscrewed from the outer end of the sleeve, 2.

The members l() and 14 of the universal joint are provided with squaredshoulders, 22, formed by-the reduced outer ends thereof, and saidshouldered portions of themember 10 are adapted to bear against theinner ends of the axle, 1, and sleeve, 2, while the shouldered portionof the member lfliis adapted to bear against'the inner end of thespindle, l2, and the adjacent inner slot of the outer section, 19, ofthe casing.

The outer section 19 oi the casing is provided with a reducedcylindrical tubular extension, 23, which forms a. boxing ier the axlespindle and a bearing upon which the hub oi the wheel is adapted toturn. At the end of the extension, 23, are formed shoulders, 24,,against which is adapted to fit the annular recessed inner end of 'thewheel. hub, 25, which is revolubly mounted on said extension, 23.

The outer end of the hub, 25, is provided with reduced extension 26 inwhich is formed a centrally disposed reduced passage to receive the.reduced outer end of the spindle, 12, as shown. In said reduced outerend of the spindle, 12, and the adjacent wall of the extension 2G areformed ,alined grooves or channels in which are adapted to be insertedkeys, 27, whereby the hub is locked into 4engagement with the axlespindie to cause the Wheel to be turned by the latter. The hub, 25, isfurther secured against rotation and held in place on the spindle, 12,by means of a locking pin, 2S, which is passed through alined aperturesin the extension, 2G. of the' hub, and the reduced extension oithcispindle, as shown.

The extension 2G of the hub is provided with a series of exterior screwthreads and upon said threaded extension is adapted to be screwed a cap,29. said cap serving to hold theiteys, 27, and the pin 28 in place, andalso to prevent the entranceof dust or foreign matter to the bearingportion of the spindle.

By providing an axle having spindles connected thereto hy a universaljoint and incloscd in a sleeve and casing constructed as herein shownand described, the axle and the wheels iixedly mounted thereon may bepositively driven irrespective oi the angle to which said spindles andwheels are turned, thereby materially aiding in the propulsion of thevehicle. over rough and heavy roads` The outer section 19 of the casingis provided on its inner side with a rearwardly projecting lug, 30, towhich is adapted to he connected the usual or any suitable form ofsteering rods, by means of which said outer end of the casing, thespindle and the parts carried thereby, may be swung or turned to anyangle to permit. the vehicle to make the desired turns.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the inventionmay be readily understood Without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form and proportion, and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined in theap'- pe'ndcd claims.'

sen/isi Having fully described my invention, what l claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. An axle of the character described, means whereby said axle isdriif'en. a bearing sleeve on'sald axle. a spindle, a universal liointconnect ion between said spindle and axle, said connection comprisingr acentral hull member and inner and outer members pivolally connected atdialnetrlc ally opposite points to said central ball member. said innerand outer sections being formed in separable parts, means to secure saidparts of the members together und into engagement with the inner end otthe axle and the spindle, a twopart casing: arranged around said joint,pivot bolts to pivotallv connect said parts of the casing together,means to secure. the inner section of said casini; to the outer end ofsaid heal-iin.r sleeve. a tubular cylindrical extension fornred on theouter end of the outer section oi' said casingl to receive said axlespindle, a hub revolublv luounted on said bearinf.'` extension and keyedto the outer end of said spindle. a locking pin arranged through theouter end ot' thi` spindle. and a cap adapted to be screwed on the outerend of the hul). substantiall as described .I. An axle ot the characterdescribed. means whereby said axle is driven. a beat-inf.r sleeve onsaid axle. a spindle, a universal joint connection between said spindleand axle. said connection comprising.; a central ball member, and innerand outer members pivotally connected at itininetricallv opposite pointsto said central hall member. said inner and outer sections beim.Y formedin separable parts. means to secure said paris of the members togetherand into engagement with the inner end of the axle and the-spindle. atwo-part casini,r arranged around said joint, pivot bolts to pivotall)vconnect said parts of the casing together.y means to secure thc` innersection of said casing to the outer end of said bearim.Y sleeve. atubular cylindrical extension formed on the outer end of the outersection of said casingto receive said axle spindle, a lmh rcvolublymounted on said bearim,Y extension, said lnih havingy oppositelydisposed grooves adapted to be brought into alincnient with similargrooves in the end of the spindle. keys adapted to be inserted into saidnlined grooves. a locking;- pin adapted to be inserted through alinedholes in the extension ot" said hub and ln said spindle. and anintcrnall)` threaded cap adapted to he secured on the threaded outer endof the extension on said hub, substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hami in presence of twosnbscribincY witnesses.

Witnesses z J. L. Meli/ivm.

E. I'. WiLLmiisoN.

